Consumers

Rights For Hospitalized Patients

Qualidigm works in partnership with hospitals in Connecticut to ensure every patient receives the right care at the right time.

Before Your Hospital Stay

• Plan ahead by talking to your doctor about your condition and knowing what to expect.
• Understand your Medicare hospital coverage - call 1.800.MEDICARE (1.800.633.4227) to ask questions about your coverage and your rights.

At the Time of Admission

• Ask for the Important Message from Medicare - it describes your rights and how to request an appeal.

During Your Hospital Stay

Whether you are enrolled in the original Medicare or another Medicare health plan, you also have the right to:

• Receive all the hospital care you need.
• Receive a written discharge plan.
• Call Qualidigm at 1.800.553.7590 to appeal a written notice stating that Medicare will no longer cover your care.
• Speak to a hospital patient representative to help you understand any notices you receive.

At the Time of Discharge

If you are told that Medicare will not pay for continued days of care in the hospital, you should do the following:

• Ask for all notices of non-coverage in writing.
• If you wish to request an appeal, call Qualidigm toll-free at 1.800.553.7590 before 12 noon of the next working day after you receive the notice.
• If you are a Medicare Advantage member, call Qualidigm to request a fast-track appeal or use the plan's appeals process for continued stay denials.
  • Note: If you use the Medicare Advantage review process to appeal your hospital stay, timeframes may be longer and you may incur costs for days of care.
• Always ask about additional appeal rights and discharge planning rights.

If you receive a written notice and miss the deadline for appeals, you can still request a review at any time during your hospital stay or after you are home. For more information about your Medicare rights as a hospital patient, contact Medicare at 1.800.MEDICARE (1.800.633.4227) or visit their website at www.medicare.gov.